Years served: 2007 - Present
Committee assignments: Appropriations I (Minority Spokesperson); Appropriations II; Judiciary; Revenue; Telecommunications & Technology; Committee of the Whole; Deficit Reduction (Co-Chairperson); Redistricting; Subcomm.on Containing Costs/Tuition.
TAXES AND SPENDING
Murphy voted for a huge electric rate increase.
Murphy helped pass SB1652 – a huge electric rate increase sought by ComEd and Ameren. (2011)
Murhpy voted to allow the Mayor of Chicago to DOUBLE the telephone tax.
SB0837 would give Mayor Richard Daley the ability to raise the telephone tax from $1.25 to $2.50 per month for all customers. (2007)
Murhpy voted against electric rate relief.
In January 2007, a 10-year electric rate-freeze expired, exposing thousands of Illinois residents to huge increases in their electric bills. SB1592 provided $1 billion in rate relief to Illinois consumers. More importantly, the law establishes an independent Illinois Power Agency that will be responsible for planning and purchasing electricity at the lowest possible price for consumers. (2007)
EDUCATION
Murphy voted to exempt teachers, principals and school superintendents from FOIA disclosure.
At the urging of the teachers’ unions and just months after approving what was billed as a sweeping reform of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, Murphy voted for SB315. The bill exempts from FOIA disclosure of performance evaluations for teachers, principals and school superintendents. Also supporting SB315 was the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 which seeks the same exemption for all public employees who receive performance evaluations. (2010)
GAMBLING
Murphy voted for the most massive expansion of gambling in Illinois history.
Murphy voted for SB744 which allows for five new casinos (including one Chicago-owned casino), slot machines at the state’s horse racing tracks, slot machines at Chicago’s two airports, more gaming positions at existing casinos, and slot machines and year-round racing at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield. (2011)
Murhpy voted to legalize video gambling in bars across Illinois.
HB1124 would have legalized gambling on video game “contests” of two or more in bars, restaurants, bowling alleys, and other venues. (2007)
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION
Murphy voted for the Illinois DREAM Act.
Murphy voted YES and helped pass the Illinois DREAM Act, legislation awarding special rights and benefits to undocumented immigrants in Illinois (SB2185). (2011)
Murhpy did not vote against making it more difficult to enforce the nation’s immigration laws.
Murphy was in attendance when the vote was taken but chose not to cast a vote for or against, refusing to take a principled stand. HB1744 amends the Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act to prohibit employers from enrolling in any Employment Eligibility Verification System. (2007)
REFORM (or the lack thereof)
Murphy voted against reducing the size and cost of government.
Murphy voted against SB173 - a bill that would have reduced the size and cost of government through consolidation or elimination of unnecessary units of local government. Illinois now has almost 7,000 taxing districts – far exceeding the number of any other state. Republican lawmakers had an incredible opportunity to strike a blow for limited government, but instead they chose big government over reform. (2011)
SB35 / SB600
Murphy opposes SB35 (formerly SB600) - a common sense reform that would once again allow ALL Republicans to directly elect the senior leadership of their own Illinois Republican Party. Murphy voted against SB600 on April 2, 2009 on the floor of the Senate. Fortunately the reform bill still passed overwhelmingly by a vote of 44 to 13. UPDATE: On April 8, 2011, Murphy had another opportunity to do the right thing, but chose not to cast a vote for or against the same bill (now known as SB35). Despite Murphy’s lack of support, SB35 passed unanimously in the Senate. (2011)
Muphy voted to exempt teachers, principals and school superintendents from FOIA disclosure.
At the urging of the teachers’ unions and just months after approving what was billed as a sweeping reform of the Illinois Freedom of Information Act, Murphy voted for SB315. The bill exempts from FOIA disclosure of performance evaluations for teachers, principals and school superintendents. Also supporting SB315 was the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 31 which seeks the same exemption for all public employees who receive performance evaluations. (2010)
Murphy did nothing to help cleanse the Illinois Republican Party of the tainted National Committeeman Bob Kjellander.
Bob Kjellander could have been removed and replaced with an honest leader a lot earlier, if only Republican “leaders” like Murphy were serious about reform. Murphy never joined the rank-and-file and more serious officials who overwhelmingly called for Kjellander’s immediate ouster. It’s only because Murphy and a tiny handful of other old guard faces refuse to unify on reform that even this simplest of clean-ups remain difficult to accomplish.
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